“Conscious Living”
“Conscious Living” took on a totally new meaning for me today……..I needed to buy a birthday card, so I ran into a little gift shop that I go to occasionally. I haven’t been there in probably 3 months. I was standing at the cash register waiting to pay and one of the store clerks walked up to me and said, “aren’t you the woman I was talking to a few months ago that knew someone that was out of work for almost a year?” I was shocked that she remembered me and the conversation we had 3 months ago. To be perfectly honest, I had forgotten all about that conversation! She said “Please, wait here a minute. I have something for you! It’s in my purse. I’ll be right back.” I couldn’t imagine what she could possibly have for me in her purse. I’m thinking….this is crazy!
When the woman returned, she had a small piece of paper with a name, email address and phone # written on it. As she handed me the information, she told me that she had been carrying this information around in her wallet in hopes that she would run into me again. I couldn’t believe it!! She told me that my story about my unemployed friend had made such a strong impact on her that it really touched her heart. She said that she felt really bad for my friend and about her situation. She continued to explain that she ran into one of her friends a few days after she spoke with me, and this friend had a son who became a Recruiter. She said she asked for his contact information, in hopes that if she ever saw me again, she could pass the information on to me so that I could share it with my friend. I was speechless!! I just could not believe that she had been carrying this information around for 3 months, in hopes that she’d have another chance encounter with the same stranger that had previous told her a story that had greatly touched her heart!! Talk about having an impact on someone!! The whole scenario has just blown me away!! I have been thinking about it all day…..it has made me reflect on so many things on so many levels!!
It made me realize the power of a simple conversation! It made me think about the huge impact we can have on people’s lives through simple interaction with them…..just as we move through the motions of our typical day oblivious to what we do and say to people just in passing. It reminded me of a book I read awhile ago by Mitch Albom, “The 5 People You Meet In Heaven”. I remember, it was a great book and had a really surprising ending. I haven’t thought about that book in a really long time and I remember now the impact it had made on me. It’s so crazy how we go back to our busy lives and forget about things, important things…..unconsciously moving through our lives day in and day out.
Today, this woman totally renewed my belief in the human spirit. Her gesture reminded me of the great capacity we all possess for kindness and generosity. Unfortunately, we just don’t always use that capacity. It proves that each of us has the power to make a huge difference in another person’s life, outside of our family and friends. My simple conversation with a stranger touched something within her that made her want to help. She then in turn, provided me with the gift of new awareness. I then in turn, shared the information she shared with me with my friend, who just may find a job working with this new contact. Everybody’s life was impacted in a positive way and it all started from a simple conversation.
Yup……“Conscious Living” really took on a totally new meaning for me today. It’s not just about making conscious decisions about your own life choices. It’s also about being conscious in what you say and do, and being aware of the positive or negative effects you can have on the lives you touch each and every day. That’s powerful stuff….What a huge responsibility!!